Lasik Eye Surgery...A Story

This is the story of Bob and his Lasik eye surgery. Bob does not exist. He stands in for all those other Bobs and Rauls and Michaels who lived through similar experiences. His story need not be yours.

Bob was excited about improving his vision through Lasik eye surgery. He had heard nothing but good things about it. When he went for his annual eye exam, Bob found out his opthamologist had completed a course in Lasik eye surgery the year before. The opthamologist told Bob he had done several Lasik operations with good results. He felt that Bob was a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery to correct his nearsightedness. Bob thought it over for a few days and decided to have the Lasik eye surgery.Bob became a little apprehensive when he read the consent forms which included possible complications. When he asked the opthamologist about this part of the forms, the he slapped Bob on the back and told him not to worry about it. They had to list possible complications because it was required by law, but Bob shouldn't worry a thing about it. Bob's concern put to rest, he signed the forms and had the scheduled Lasik eye surgery.

When Bob removed the protective eye coverings a day later, he thought his vision did seem to have improved. Things seemed to be going well for a few days but then he noticed that his eyes were becoming more irritated and painful as time passed. When he called the opthamologist about the symptoms, he was told that dry eyes were common after Lasik eye surgery. The opthamologist prescribed artificial tears to be used a few times a day.

Bob faithfully followed the doctor's orders and used the artificial tears for a few days, but the symptoms did not improve. When he checked with the opthamologist, he said Bob could wait to see if the dry eye improved or decide to have a second Lasik treatment.Bob elected to wait and see if his burning, painful eyes would improve. They did not, but he was wise to put off a second Lasik treatment. Bob found out that dry eye can decrease the chance of the eye healing properly after surgery, and patients who have a second Lasik eye surgery run more risk of getting irregular astigmatism. Bob is not happy with the outcome of his surgery, but he is aware that others who have had Lasik eye surgery have had similar or worse results.

It been two years since the Lasik eye surgery. His eyes are irritated and painful. A lot of the time his eyes are bloodshot. Bob says that even though he uses the artificial tears, sometimes it seems like the pain is worse with them than without. He says the artificial tears also make his vision blurry.

If you ask Bob today, he will say he is sorry he ever decided to have Lasik eye surgery. But, he does not just blame his opthamologist. Bob never looked into the possible side effects, never questioned his opthamologist's experience and would not follow up with a second opinion. Bob learned the hard way that he was the one who ultimately had to live with the results of those decisions.
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